UB Police is seeking recruits for its annual Citizens Police Academy, the nine-week program that gives members of the university community an up-close, behind-the-scenes look into the working life of a campus police officer.

This year’s course again meets on Wednesday evenings, beginning March 1 in Bissell Hall on the North Campus, then moving to other locations throughout the course. The program ends on May 3 with a closing ceremony during which all graduates receive a diploma presented by Chief Gerald W. Schoenle Jr.

“Our annual Citizens Police Academy is an opportunity for students, faculty and staff to take an inside look at policing and actually experience what being a University at Buffalo police officer is all about,” Schoenle says.

All applications must be submitted by Feb. 15. The application includes both a criminal history check and a driver’s license check. Any questions on the background check, contact the University Police Department at 645-2227.

The department is looking for a good mix of campus groups, all interested in how the university police force operates and the role of its officers in the justice system. The program includes a five-hour ride-along with a veteran police officer as part of the course.

Classes are conducted in an interactive setting taught by University Police officers and other public safety professionals, the same officers honored by state and national agencies for their professionalism and individual acts of heroism and service. Subjects taught include fire and first aid response, New York State penal law, traffic and accident investigations, criminal and crime scene investigation, and family offenses and domestic violence.

The course has earned rave reviews from its students. “Going through the Citizen’s Police Academy in 2016 allowed me to gain a better understanding of UB’s police department both personally and professionally,” says Michael Andrei, public affairs and internal communications specialist with University Communications, who attended the academy last spring.

“As a member of the UB community, I learned how the program works to open lines of communication between students, faculty, staff, administration and the police — something that is increasingly critical to strengthening relationships,” Andrei says.

“As a member of UB’s media relations team, the CPA also helped me to form a better working relationship with members of the UB Police Department by getting to know the officers, what they do and, perhaps most importantly, why.”

Wednesday classes start 6:30 p.m. and run for about three hours. The class size will average 20 students and is open to students, faculty and staff. Classes are non-credit bearing for university students.

For information about the Citizens Police Academy and to download an application, visit the department’s Facebook page.

Information also may be obtained by emailing Lt. Dave Urbanek at or calling police headquarters at 645-2227.